Friends,
Life is certainly busy on Morrissey Boulevard these days. We are just a week away from graduation and celebrating all that the Class of 2022 has accomplished. We are incredibly proud of their resiliency and the way in which they have come together this year. They've celebrated victories while supporting each other in times of sadness and defeat. They have grown together to be men for others. We are eager to hear from our Commencement speaker, Dr. Joseph Aoun, President of Northeastern University, and his experience with Jesuit education. A reminder to all alumni fathers and grandfathers that there will be a legacy photo on the morning of graduation. Check the graduation website for details. I'll provide a full recap of the Class of 2022 and graduation festivities in my update next month.
Personally, I recently returned from an inspiring Ignatian Pilgrimage to Spain to celebrate the Ignatian Year – the 500th anniversary of the conversion of St. Ignatius of Loyola. I was joined on this spiritual journey that celebrated the life and spirit of St. Ignatius by colleagues and friends from BC High, America Media, and Xavier High School (NYC). It was transformational for me and I'm excited to share our journey with you soon. For now, I've shared a few of my favorite images below.
Lastly, I was grateful to be joined by Board Chair, Fr. Michael McFarland, SJ, BC High Jesuit Superior, Fr. Jim Croghan, SJ, and many of their Jesuit brothers, as well as BC High alumni and colleagues, at the annual Jesuit Gala hosted in New York City. This Gala holds a special place in my heart as it was a key event I helped establish during my time at the New England Province many years ago. The Province team has done a wonderful job in bringing together so many people who are deeply committed to Jesuit, Catholic education. A great time in NYC and an important way to celebrate the work we all do to form young men to be leaders for their generation.
|
|
We are excited to share that our students "left the nest" during April vacation for the first time in two years. Students, faculty, and staff traveled with the Hyde Center to the Dominican Republic for an Immersion Experience, while the Center for Ignatian Identity and Formation traveled with students to the Romero Center for an Immersion Experience in Camden, NJ. These experiences were extraordinary, both for the students and adults. John Mark, Director of the Center for Ignatian Identity and Formation shared that, "BC High has long-running relationships with the Jesuit-founded ILAC Center (Institute for Latin American Concern) in the DR as well as the Romero Center in Camden. Both were founded out of the Gospel cry for justice and the accompaniment of the poor in the Caribbean and Central America. They each have deep roots within their respective communities, and they are superb at bringing high school and university students into an appreciation for and awareness of the beauty and challenges that living in these communities demands. Our students were humbled and challenged by the wisdom and hunger for justice that those living in these communities bear witness to with their lives." |
|
Choir Performs in Ireland! |
Under the direction of Dr. Marina Rozenberg, the choir headed to Ireland for a remarkable week of performances throughout the country. We believe that the BC High Choir was the first high school musical group to travel to Ireland since the start of the pandemic. They represented their school so beautifully throughout the trip. Click here to read their trip blog.
The major performances to note were,
-
Easter Liturgy at St. Peter’s Cathedral, Belfast. Bishop Noel Treanor, the Bishop of Belfast, was one of the presiders. Click here to listen to their performance.
- Concert at St. Canice’s Cathedral is the second longest cathedral in Ireland ( medieval town of Kilkenny)
- Concert at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin.
|
|
|
Up For The Challenge - Shields Center for Innovation Puts Our Students to the Test! |
The Shields Center for Innovation has had a busy month as several of their student challenges were completed. We're grateful to Trustee, Jack Shields '79, P'06 for his enthusiasm and encouragement as the Center for Innovation helps differentiate the BC High experience for our students. |
|
|
|
|
BC High hosts first NFT Challenge! |
Together with Sarson Funds, the BC High Student Arts Council, and the Shields Center students competed in an art competition to have their digital artwork minted as non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Proceeds from the sales will benefit Americans for the Arts.
Please visit our page on OpenSea to view our NFT collection, learn more about the student artwork, and bid on or purchase an NFT. Auctions for the Gold Medal Winners Circle artwork will conclude on June 9.
|
|
|
|
Shields Innovation Challenge |
|
I'm excited to share that over the past six weeks, students in the Shields Challenge practiced action-oriented problem solving. They began to understand more about themselves and their context; developed an innovation mindset; navigated ambiguity and uncertainty as a team; and cycled through the ongoing process of experience, reflection, action, and evaluation as outlined in the Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm. Students explored the context of healthcare (broadly defined) and Boston to formulate a need statement. They then generated potential solutions and prototyped one. Students socialized both needs and potential solutions as they shared their prototypes with those they wish to serve and experts in the field. Throughout the Shields Challenge, teams iterated as they tested their hypotheses and adjusted their solutions.
Thethe top three student teams presented their innovation projects to a panel of expert judges. Congratulations to all teams! Special thanks to our judges:
Dr. Eli de los Pinos P’22, P’25, Founder and CEO, Aura Biosciences
Dr. Jack Kelley ’89, P’24, CEO, 3T Medical Systems, Inc.
Mr. AJ Okereke ’10, General Partner, Golden Palm
Student Teams:
First Place ($5,000 prize split among team)
Filing in the Gaps (Zain Khan ‘24, James Desmond ’24, & Aaron Fernandes’24) – A mobile dentist unit that can travel to public schools and lower-income areas to offer dental assistance for free or a discounted price
Second Place ($500 prize split among team)
Recoverise (Alexander Blasberg ‘22, Jack Canavan ‘22, Kieran Dunn ‘22, & Aidan Walker ‘22) – A data-driven protocol for analyzing athletes' injuries to help speed up diagnosis and recovery
Third Place ($250 prize)
Sanitize (Ryan Esfahanian ‘24) – Providing sanitation products to those in need
|
|
Building the House System |
Under the direction of Principal Adam Lewis, the academic team has been hard at work to set up and implement the new House System which is a key part of the Strategic Plan -- Vision 2026. As you may remember, the House System is designed to take a large school like ours and create "communities within a community," so students will feel deeply known and loved. You can read more about the House System overall here.
Over the last few months, the Heads of House (adults) have been chosen from a highly competitive and well qualified group of applicants at BC High. The Heads of House are charged with the care and understanding of each of the students (85-100) within their house. The House Captains and Vice Captains (students) have been chosen as well. Likewise, the House Patrons were voted on after a well researched and intensive process to understand the importance of naming each House. The list from which the House Patrons were chosen can be viewed here.
Further, Principal Lewis and his team have engaged experts to speak to the Heads of House, faculty/staff, school leadership, and parents on the importance of relational learning. Psychologist Michael Reichert, author of Reaching Boys, Teaching Boys and I Can Learn From You: Boys as Relational Learners, spent the day to talk about how boys can learn best through relationship and mentoring. If read more on Dr. Reichert’s work, please visit https://www.michaelcreichert.com/ to access his research, interviews, and journal articles.
Continuing our Courageous Conversations work, our facilitator, Dawan Julien, was on campus to speak with the Heads of House, Equity Leadership Team, and student leaders in S.O.A.R. (Students Organized Against Racism) to further the important work of becoming an antiracist community. The structure of the House System will be an asset in this work as the vertical model of student leadership creates a place for the stories of all students to be known and understood.
|
|
Following Ignatius' steps from Bilbao to Barcelona, we spent eight days walking to Loyola where we celebrated Mass in the Conversion Chapel - where Ignatius recovered from the cannonball injury in Pamplona. It was a prayerful experience with colleagues from America Magazine, Xavier High School, and BC High. Special thank you to Fr. Pat Nolan, SJ and Fr. Matt Malone, SJ for walking, praying, and reflecting with us from Bilbao, Loyola, Javiar, Aranzazu, Manresa, Monserrat, and Barcelona in this Ignatian Year. |
|
|
Celebrating our Student-Athletes |
|
The spring season is well underway and the Eagles are making us proud from out on Dorchester Bay, Cotter Field, and Keohane Track and finally a bit of warmer weather for the fans! While the Eagles continue to compete, the Athletic Department took a moment to recognize the student-athletes at the annual Awards Banquet. With special thanks to Jon Bartlett '87, Athletic Director, as he leaves Morrissey Boulevard and heads to St. Sebastian School. |
|
|
|
Visiting Eagles Near and Far |
|
I had a wonderful few days visiting alumni in Washington DC and New York City and the Alumni team even had a stop in Atlanta. Thank you to all who were able to join! A special note of gratitude goes to our hosts Amy and Ryan Curry ’96 (Atlanta), Paul Donato ’95 (DC), and Souren Ouzounian ’85 (NYC). These events would not have not been possible without their support.
Nearly 200 alumni joined us last week to reconnect with old friends and new and about our vision for the future of BC High. On our way back to Boston, recent grads and Fordham University students joined Kenny Delino ’16 for lunch in the Bronx. A whirlwind trip with an incredible amount of love and appreciation for our shared Jesuit, Catholic mission!
To see photos from the events, please click here:
|
|
|
Summer Starts at BC High! |
Roll up your sleeves this summer and join us on Morrisseey Boulevard! Boys and girls, grades 5-12 from Boston and beyond can take their pick from Sports Camps, Academic Courses, Middle School Enrichment Courses, and Specialty Programs alike.
|
|
|
BC Hire: Career Connections |
|
BC Hire Career Connections has become a terrific program for our young alumni. This year, we have welcomed back alumni speakers to in-person luncheons for our current students as well. These programs help strengthen the alumni network and set BC High apart from other schools.
BC Hire Career Connections supports BC High’s current students and young alumni in securing meaningful summer jobs and internships, laying the groundwork for career success. Many of these internship opportunities are provided by the powerful BC High Alumni Network and our highly engaged parent community, while others are offered by firms in Greater Boston.
For more information, contact Kenny Delino '17, Assistant Director of Alumni Relations, kdelino@bchigh.edu or visit the BC Hire page.
|
|
|
|
Save the Date for Upcoming Alumni & Parent Events! |
|
May
- Senior Parent & Son Night: Sunday, May 15
- BC High Golf Classic: Monday, May 16
- Senior Farewell Lunch: Friday, May 20
-
50th Reunion for the Class of 1972: Friday, May 20
-
Graduation: Saturday, May 21, 10:00 a.m. (livestream available on the graduation website)
- Alumni Basketball Tournament: Tuesday, May 24
June
-
Golden Eagles 60th Reunion for the Classes of ’60,’61,’62: Thursday, June 9
|
|
| Boston College High School | 617.474.5001 | www.bchigh.edu |
|
|
|
|
|
|
